(Image source from: Gulte.com)

Three individuals who previously worked for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been given sentences for participating in a plot to unlawfully acquire exclusive software and confidential law enforcement databases from the US government for personal gain. Notably, two of these individuals are of Indian nationality. Sonal Patel, a 49-year-old resident of Sterling, Virginia, received a two-year probationary period as part of her sentence. In April 2019, Patel admitted guilt in the conspiracy to steal government property.

Murali Y Venkata, a 58-year-old resident of Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to four months of imprisonment. In April 2022, Venkata was found guilty by a jury for conspiring to steal government property, defraud the United States, commit wire fraud, and destroy records. Charles K Edwards, a 63-year-old resident of Sandy Springs, Maryland, was sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment. Edwards pleaded guilty in January 2022 for his involvement in the conspiracy.